Sequestration could gut federal housing programs, HUD chief says

Automatic spending cuts set to take effect March 1 would cut millions of dollars from various housing programs, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan says. For example, the cuts would prevent HUD from offering 75,000 consumers foreclosure prevention services and counseling, and 125,000 renters could lose Housing Choice Voucher aid, increasing their risk of becoming homeless. "The ripple effects are enormous because of how central housing is to our economy," Donovan told members of Congress.